Gone But Never Forgotten - Catching Up With Former Pioneers Goalie Adam Dekker

Sunday

Oct 28, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 28, 2012 at 4:17 PM

I'm getting old. This is the fifth season that Adam Dekker isn't on the Utica College Pioneers men's hockey team.

Remember attending the Pioneers - Oswego game, played in the Clinton Arena, on October 22, 2004? Utica College lost that game, and in goal was a freshman from Muskegon,Michigan named Adam Dekker. There were three other goalies on Coach Heenan's team that season. Rich Rager, Mike Beacham, and Jake Miskovic. These names I knew, but who was this new guy, and why did he get to play ahead of the others? Well, that's why Gary Heenan is who he is, and at the time I sat in my seat next to the goal judge.

Dekker went on to play 91 games during his four seasons with the Pioneers ( 2004-2005 thru 2007-2008 ) in ECAC West action. In 'Dekks' rookie campaign, Utica College completed a 16 - 5 - 6 record. During that season, the single most exciting conclusion to a game took place, involving a Pioneer by the name of Ron Mexico. More on 'Mex' later.

At last week's home opener, I saw Dekker as he walked the concourse in the Utica Auditorium, as he made his way to his seat. So, being nosy, I stopped him, asked for his phone number, so we could have an update on what the best goalie in the program's history is doing these days. Last I heard, he was still playing in the minors. "I'm living in Clinton", Dekker tells. "I work for a company in Rome - Alion Science and Technology. Most of what I do is financial planning, marketing, I'm a financial analyst. The company has government contracts, and what I do is to watch the dollars, and make sure we are using the full amount of the contract; no shortages, no overages".

Adam was prepared to play another season in the minors this fall. He tells me that he had his contract signed to play a second season with the Williamsport Outlaws, who he was with last season. The Outlaws called Wayne, New Jersey home last season. "All summer I trained, and was prepared to play one more year. Then this position in Rome came up unexpected", Dekker said during our Friday evening conversation.

Dekker's girlfriend Kathryn clearly is the center of his life. He is as happy as anyone would want to be. The former Pioneer netminder is 28 years old now. For any athlete, going out on top is how it should be. Last season, Adam and his Outlaws teammates won the FHL ( Federal Hockey League ) Commissioner's Cup. "I looked where my life is. I wanted to go out with hockey on my terms, instead of being cut or no team wanting me", Adam states.

From the UC campus, telling how much he enjoyed the ride, after leaving school, Dekker traveled the professional hockey road. In total, he wore 8 different team sweaters. Adam's stops included Wiichita,Richmond, Flint,Chicago, and my favorite - Louisiana Icegators. Adam admits that he was very fortunate to have played hockey and be paid for it. But, before traveling America with pads and mask in bag, I bring Dekker back to his initial game with the Pioneers, in Clinton. "I didn't know what to expect. From the moment I was on campus, and saw how the hockey program progressed, that was huge", 'Dekks' remembers. "I had an absolute blast for 4 years. I came in with 3 veteran goalies to compete with".

Through his travels in Utica and the pro circuit, Adam tells of meeting a lot of people, many who he enjoyed playing with and against, and stays in touch with many of them. But no place was more welcoming to Adam than the Aud. He loved playing in the Aud. "The fans have your back". The fans haven't fogotten him,either. Dekker tells me that last Friday, for the Morrisville game, he and Kathryn are in their seats, and he overheard the people behind them talking about him. The fans said something to the effect , 'Do you know who he is', which made Adam and Kathryn laugh. Dekker is pleased to be remembered. He has been in the Mohawk Valley area since graduation.

Working out, coaching youth hockey, Adam has kept busy. At all the stops Dekker has had in the pros, when asked where he played prior, when mentioning Utica, the same report is given. Pro players know of the support by area fans of the program. "I hear, you guys ( Utica ) play in front of 4,000 fans. Utica College has made a name for itself. I remember when I came here, we were getting about 2,000 fans at each homer game. When I graduated, we were up to 3,500 people watching us play. I am so happy to have been part of the growth", Dekker, selected to the All-Rookie ECAC West team of 2004-2005 tells.

As a pro, Adam played for a number of teams, looking to find where he would best fit in. He enjoyed playing two season in Louisian, and getting to experieince Mardi Gras, while with the Outlaws last season, 'Dekks' was a 20 minute bus ride from New York City, when with with Wichita Thunder, he would hear tornado sirens going off at all hours, and with the Flint Generals, according to him, nobody wants to be in Flint.

Part 2 - Tomorrow

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